Lee Jun-seok: "I would even stand on my hands to negotiate the merger, but there is no answer"

Kim Ki-hyun "Hope Ahn Cheol-soo Makes a Bold Decision"
Lee Tae-gyu "Made It So That Leader Lee Can't Make a Decision"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Discussions on the merger between the People’s Party and the People Power Party continue to take on the tone of an emotional conflict. Both sides are blaming each other for the deadlock in the merger talks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 6th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on YTN Radio’s ‘Hwang Bo-seon’s Start Morning’ and shared his thoughts on the negotiations with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party. Lee said, "Some might think the negotiations just started because we haven’t had a public conversation recently, but we have been at it for almost two months," adding, "Even when we make proposals, there is no response from the People’s Party. From the beginning, do you think we would just ask for a yes or no answer?"

Lee stated, "I am always willing to meet," and added, "I would even do a handstand to meet." Regarding his upcoming scheduled vacation next week, he said, "I said I would cancel it to meet, but there has been no response." He also addressed Ahn’s request for him to join a one-person protest related to the Druking comment manipulation case, saying, "Why is joining a one-person protest a precondition for the merger?" and "It’s not like the merger will happen just because I join a one-person protest."

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ and said, "I hope Leader Ahn makes a big decision," warning, "If the delay continues, the timing will eventually be lost." Kim said, "We are forming a major movement for regime change, but if someone steps out and says, ‘I will look after my own interests,’ do you think the public will accept 5%?" adding, "That 5% will become 0%." This means that if the People’s Party pursues an independent path, it could lose even its current 5% party support rating. Kim also commented on the deep emotional rift between Lee and Ahn, saying, "When you talk with trivial personal feelings, doesn’t it make you look petty?"

On the other hand, the People’s Party demanded that Lee change his stance. Lee Tae-gyu, secretary-general of the People’s Party, appeared on KBS Radio’s ‘Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs’ and said, "Is it the right attitude to demand yes or no answers as if a prosecutor is questioning a defendant?" and added, "I hope Leader Lee thinks more carefully." Lee Tae-gyu criticized, "The primary election bus schedule at the end of August is not some constitutional matter," and said, "Isn’t it the People Power Party’s own schedule?" He continued, "There is a big difference between saying, ‘I hope the merger schedule is wrapped up by this week because of this schedule’ and ‘If there is no answer by this week, it’s over.’" He said, "Leader Lee has been put in a position where he cannot exercise political skill or make a decision even if he wants to."